Delay forces Bellingham's turf field to open late next month

The opening of the new Anderson Field was delayed nearly a month after construction crews unearthed a ledge in a section of the field.

By Matt Tota/Daily News staff

Milford Daily News

By Matt Tota/Daily News staff

Posted Aug. 30, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Aug 30, 2013 at 10:40 PM

By Matt Tota/Daily News staff

Posted Aug. 30, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Aug 30, 2013 at 10:40 PM

BELLINGHAM

» Social News

The opening of the new Anderson Field was delayed nearly a month after construction crews unearthed a ledge in a section of the field.

In response, the high school has had to reschedule football, field hockey and soccer games that were planned to take place on the $1.3 million artificial turf field. School and town officials initially expected to have the surface ready by Sept. 1.

Superintendent Edward Fleury said Thursday that crews will begin installing the turf next week, a process that should take most of the month. As the turf is installed, work will begin on the surrounding track.

Meanwhile, school officials are discussing ways to generate revenue from the field. Two main sources likely will come from advertising and rental fees, according to School Committee member Michael Reed.

Reed has proposed selling advertising space along the fence encircling the field and pitched creating a walkway comprised of customizable bricks and pavers.

And money may be leftover in the budget to build a special entrance for the field, he said.

"As we are finishing the field, it’s still not 100 percent clear what the entrance will look like," he said.

High school Athletic Director Dennis Baker said the field hockey and soccer games have been moved to other fields in town. The football team, though, will lose three home games.

"The first three games will have to be played on the road," Baker said.

The first home game is scheduled for Sept. 13. But the Blackhawks will actually play at Franklin High School’s turf field against Whittier Tech.

Baker said he scheduled the game in Franklin because he wanted a location close to town. "We felt that our football team and our fans needed some place to call home," he said. "We are taking a band over; and we will have a big student presence."

He hopes the team will be able to practice on home turf in late September and hold its first official game at Anderson Field on Oct. 11 against Norton High School.